In 2012, by God's divine arrangement, and with the help of Christian churches and ministries headquartered in Rochester, NY, Bishop Samuel Mkisi and his wife Florence opened an orphanage to meet the needs of orphaned, abandoned and endangered children in Mzuzu, Malawi. Today, the Upendo Children’s Village is home to more than 60 children. The word “Upendo” means “love” in Swahili, and it is our ho
pe and prayer is that everything about Upendo Children’s Village will reflect God’s unfailing love. The children living receive constant care and attention, and everyone who lives and works at Upendo are part of one big happy family. They all truly love, care for, protect, and encourage one another. Every child living at Upendo Children’s Village receives 3 meals a day. Upendo buys quality local produce and also grows vegetables and maize onsite to ensure consistent supply, as well as to teach the children how to farm. All school-age children at Upendo Children’s Village are enrolled in school and receive additional educational support from hired, qualified tutors on a daily basis. Many of them now rank among the top in their class. Children in need of minor medical service, or those suffering from illnesses or diseases, receive onsite medical treatment from house-mothers and missionaries. Upendo Children’s Village is a safe haven where the children are taught the Word of God. Every Sunday, the children are driven into the city of Mzuzu where they worship at Church On The Wings, led by Samuel and Florence. Many of the children help lead worship during the service. At least twice a year, short-term missions teams visit Upendo Children’s Village in Mzuzu to love-on the children and do good works. During these visits, it’s the missionaries themselves, those who’ve answered God’s call to go to Upendo, that experience the biggest heart-change. These trips give people from all walks of life, young and old, a chance to use their God-given gifts and to see first-hand that God is bigger than any one country or culture, and that His children are all part of one big, eternal family. We invite you to explore our site and learn how God may be calling you to be involved. Simply by answering God’s call, Upendo Children’s Village will grow, the children will blossom, and your life will change for the better. Please prayerfully considering joining us, whether that be on a future trip, the giving of your finances, or supporting Upendo in prayer.
